Thailand Storm Pabuk: Where and when will the deadly cyclone hit?

Tropical storm Pabuk has already seen people evacuated from their homes on some Thai islands, with many tourists, including Brits, forced to shelter inside hotels as ferry ports and airports close down

The British Foreign Office has this morning issued a warning against Brits travelling to Thailand as one person was confirmed dead.

In a statement they said: "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all but essential travel to areas within the provinces on the Thai-Malaysia border, including Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and the Southern Songkhla province."

One person has already been killed in the storm.

The victim is understood to have been a local man who was part of six crew on a fishing boat, with another missing and four confirmed safe.

Have you been affected by the storm? Contact webnews@trinitymirror.com

Waves due to tropical storm Pabuk crash into a pier in the southern Thai province of Surat Thani (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

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How bad is the storm?

The Thai Met Office issued an update today, saying the storm was bringing maximum sustained winds of 75kph, around 45mph.

While winds are currently recorded at around 45mph, the Met Office said the sustained gales and vastness of the storm make them strong enough to bring down trees and power lines as well as damage buildings.

In areas where the storm had not yet hit, officials branded the storm "dangerous" as they urged people to pack up essentials and leave.

In the Nakhon Si Thammarat province, where the storm made landfall, officials drove trucks through flooded streets with downed power lines and urged people to leave.

"Anyone still inside. Please make noise and officials will help you out. You cannot stay here. You cannot stay here. It's too dangerous."

Fallen electricity poles are seen along a road as tropical storm Pabuk approaches the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat (Image: REUTERS)

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What are tourists being told to do?

The Foreign Office have issued advise to tourists this morning advising anyone heading to the regions affected to avoid travelling.

In a warning against travel, they said: "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise against all but essential travel to areas within the provinces on the Thai-Malaysia border, including Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and the Southern Songkhla province.

"Our advice against all but essential travel does not include areas north of and including the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and areas north-west of and including the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Pedang Besar.

"Tropical Storm Pabuk is expected to hit the southern coast of Thailand on 4 January 2019.

"This will have an impact on boat sailings and flights in affected areas, which may include Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao), Chumporn, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Ranong, Phang Nga, Satun and Song Khla, as well as Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. You should follow instructions from local authorities and monitor weather warnings from the Thai Meteorological Department. You can also find advice on our Tropical Cyclones page."

A man guards an empty pier after tour operators were forced to suspend boats to tourist islands (Image: AFP/Getty Images)